Photo shows the Munich apartment building of collector Cornelius Gurlitt, where more than 1,400 artworks were found. / Marc Mueller, AP

by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

BERLIN (AP) - A museum in Switzerland says it's been named the "unrestricted and unfettered sole heir" of a German art collector whose hoard set off an uproar last year over the fate of art looted by the Nazis.

The Kunstmuseum Bern said in a statement Wednesday it's "surprised and delighted" at the appointment, of which it was informed by Cornelius Gurlitt's Christoph Edel.

But it says the bequest, which must be confirmed by a court, brings "a considerable burden of responsibility and a wealth of questions of the most difficult and sensitive kind, and questions in particular of a legal and ethical nature."

The museum says it never previously had any dealings with Gurlitt.

The 81-year-old died Tuesday. German authorities are checking whether any of the works were looted by the Nazis.

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